Ming's debut was definitely the big story last night, but Boki also looked good. He still hasn't found his shot, but you can tell the guy (i) can handle the ball, (ii) has good court sense, and (iii) is willing and able to contribute on defense and on the boards. He looked good running with the first team. I particularly liked the few times that Rudy T called screen and roll with Boki and Wink or Cat. It was not exactly Sweet Lew Lloyd going for 20 plus in Sampson's first regular season NBA game, but Boki got my attention. If he quits rushing his shot (a lot like Griffin did last year and still does from time to time), he'll be a significant contributor this season. Finally, Griffin showed serious stuff last night. He looked more decisive on offensive than I have ever seen him. He and Taylor should be a very effective PF tandem. I absolutely loved seeing Griff and Ming together. There was at least one sequence where a SA player looked lost trying to get a shot off in the middle.
Going 0-4 doesn't really help his case. However, everyone in this forum knows that Boki can shoot the lights out. We'll just have to give him some time to get used to the NBA. It's not like we have to rush him, we're loaded up at the 3. I hope everyone will be patient this year and not be too critical. This is going to be a growing year for Boki, Yao, Tmo, and even Eddie. But at least we have the players now. We'll make a greater impact next year.
I think with each game Boki looks better and better. He started to show his driving ability last night and even though he didn't finish, you could see his ability. He does seem to rush his shot and measure it. As a shooter, that doesn't work at all. He knows how to move the ball and when he does move without the ball, he moves well. We just need patience with him.
He's running out of time to secure any PT. I thought Rudy gave him more than enough chance against SA and he didn't live up to TMo, let alone taking minutes from Rice/KT. He'll need some time. Maybe in the second half of the season.
Griffin is a budding star. Boki is needing some bud (hook up with Mo). He is not quite relaxed enough and does not look fluid.
It is not wise to speculate on when he will contribute. I am just happy to say so far so good, regarding Boki.
I wouldn't call speculation, it is analysis. He's just not showing us he's ready. He is firmly planting himself in the four spot at the 3, behind Rice, KT, and TMo.
I guess I'm one of the few who still believes Q Woods was our man. If we are going to have to wait so long for Nachbar, who I believe is a great player in practice and unbelievable shooter by himself, why not get Q Woods atheletic ability now. Sorry I just don't see what everyone sees.
It's Boki coming off injuries, him not being in shape, and well.......we just don't much care for SFs. Rudy has never had a "system" in which the player playing the SF position flourished, or at the very least looked comfortable. It was always post it up with the big man 'til Stevie and Mobley came into town, now the offense is run through the guards. When he's finally 100%, he'd probably be better off with a team like the Kings or Nets. Griff.....no comment needed. He's looked better and better each game on both ends of the court. We just better not regulate him as the 6th man. Sorry Taylor, but your replacement has arrived. Just stay on the bench, play your 15 - 20 minutes per game, and cash your checks.
Have been asking myself that question since draft night. What it boils down to is the european stars are the fad, so they went with that. Woods has looked pretty good the 2 times I have caught him. Much better than Boki. And hell.. at least we would not have some one known as "Boki" on the team!
This isn't a "fad". The reason foreign players have been picked so highly as of late is because the fundamentals and shooting in the League is horrible. There's a reason we came in 6th place in the World Championships, and don't give the excuse that we didn't send our "elite" because if it takes our ALL NBA First Team to win, then we are in trouble. No offense to the rest of the world, but basketball is supposed to be dominated by the Americans.....not so much anymore though. Like I said, I would imagine that Boki would perform much better with the Kings or Nets simply because their offenses involve much more movement and passing.
He deserves time and a chance, I'll give him a while longer to adjust improve and to heal. I just hope Bok-ey doesn't turn into Lang-ey II...
Remember how Terence was pounded on the BBS for his play, or lack of it last season. (justified or not, I think he showed a lot last year... just not a shot to save his life) Morris hasn't shown his pre-season talent in real games yet, but if he does who will remember what a hammering he took here last season?? Nachbar has barely got his toe in the water yet.
Boki looked good last night. You can see that he's starting to get his legs under him, he was quick and fluid. He handled the ball a bit, and made a nice skip pass to Cat for a J. Sure, he missed his shots, but he was also measuring them. I mean, it's not like he put up 4 airballs. Of his attempts, he missed 2 layups that he'll be converting later this season, and a jumper that went down but came out. Sure, Woods looks like he's going to be a good one (which all the 'experts' have been claiming since day 1, so no surprise really), but the Rocks still selected a good player in Boki.
I don't know that Boki can shoot the lights out because I haven't seen him do it. While I haven't seen any games on TV, I did go to the game on Sunday, his best shooting game at 3 for 7 and he did not look good. I know, I know...it's the preseason and we can't rush to judgement which I am not. Although I haven't been impressed much with his play so far I can say he runs the floor well and scraps for boards. He is already better than Langhi was.
Funny, I was thinking about starting a thread about these exact two players. Then I saw this thread. Boki and Eddie are the two players I'm starting to worried about a bit. Just a bit, mind you. I didn't see the actions. So I am just going by the numbers. Boki is not making shot. Shooting was supposed to be his strong suit. It's not going to help him develop if he is in the doghouse this season. But if he is not improving in the preseason, I don't see how he gets his PT. Maybe the only good news is that both Tmo and KT are hurt, so he still has a few chances to show himself. About Griffin. I know he has been monstrous in the shot blocking department. And from the number of shots he takes, we can see that he is aggressive on offense. What worries me a bit is that his fg% is still pretty low. He has cut down his 3 pt shooting. But he still misses a lot of shots. Can those who saw the games tell me why he missed so much?
He seems to miss most of his shots in the beginning of the games because he tries to rush the shot but he has been on the block demanding the ball and they are giving him the ball. As the game go's on he relazes and his shot starts dropping.
